Welcome back to our Blood Beneath the Snow book discussion—the final week in our deep dive into Alexandra Kennington’s debut fantasy duology. If you’ve been following along, you know we’ve been building toward something big… and the last hundred pages certainly didn’t go where I expected.
But let’s be clear: I’m not mad about it. I love when a book surprises me.
Spoilers ahead from Week Four of Blood Beneath the Snow!
There is so much to unpack, so let’s get into it:
Wait—Revna Has Powers?!
I’m still processing that reveal. Where did that come from? How has no one noticed before now? There are zero answers—and while I’m frustrated, I’m also intrigued. That’s a tough balance to hit, especially in a debut. But it worked, and now I can’t wait to see how this unravels in book two.
The Hellbringer, the Queen, and Forde’s Death 😭
Talk about emotional whiplash. The Hellbringer’s connection to Revna is still murky, but the scene with Forde crushed me. He was her favorite brother, and the Hellbringer had to know that killing him would devastate her. I’m hoping there’s more to that decision than we know.
Also, that final moment where Revna channels power and holds him in place? Chef’s kiss. But where did he vanish to? And if Mira was behind it… well, let’s just say if I were Revna, things would’ve ended much bloodier.
Halvar, Arne, and the Fallout of Power
Halvar’s end? Brutal. Did he deserve it? Maybe not. But his reaction to Revna’s power was so harsh, it made his death all the more tragic. Same with Arne—unrequited love is rough, but blaming her for not loving him back? Please.
Revna’s Rise (and Revenge)
Revna didn’t come to play. Her handling of her parents, her brother, and the fallout of the trials felt raw and earned. The prophecy and the clash of powers gave us a lot to chew on. I only wish the pacing had matched the intensity.
Structure & Final Thoughts
As I’ve mentioned in earlier parts of our Blood Beneath the Snow read along, the pacing across this novel has been uneven. We spent so much time on the buildup—training, emotional tension, preparing for trials—and then everything wrapped up so fast. A tighter, more balanced structure might’ve delivered a bigger emotional punch.
Still, for a debut? It did what it needed to do. It entertained, it surprised me, and it got me invested in the sequel.
⭐ Final Rating: 3.5 stars
📚 Will I read book two? Absolutely.
Want in on the next read along?
Our next featured title is The Never List by Jade Presley, kicking off with Chapters 1–12. You can grab our May Monthly box— the Gifted and Talented Box.
Let’s Chat
What did you think of the ending? Were you shocked? Satisfied? Screaming? I want to hear all of it in the comments below 👇
Until next time,
Happy reading!
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